Ring of Swimming

Stub-class article · First seen: s02 · Last seen: s18
Ring of Swimming
ring of swim · swim ring · Hugo's swim ring · Cholmondeley's ring
Ring of Swimming, Ring portrait
Item
StatusActive
First seens02
Last seens18
TypeRing
HolderDisputed (Cholmondeley in session 2; Hugo by his own account)
OriginThe DM's random reward for a recap, session 2

The Ring of Swimming is the magic item the DM gave for a recap at the start of session 2: “You can go ahead and add a Ring of Swimming.” [8]. Who holds it is disputed: session 2 has Cholmondeley accept it, and he died in session 3 [9], while Hugo spoke of a swim speed in session 5, of the ring as his in session 6, and in session 18 called it his own recap prize from session 2 [3][14][5][6]. In session 18 he used it for a 30-foot swim that carried Steven to the Aurelian coast after the skiff sank [5][7], and no line passes the ring from one man to the other, so which of them it belongs to is a question for the DM.

Overview

The Ring of Swimming is a ring that gives a swim speed, the DM’s prize for a recap in session 2 [8]. Its one use on screen is the swim in session 18, when Hugo gave its speed as 30 feet [5]. Who owns it is the open question: session 2 hands it to Cholmondeley, and Hugo later says it was his [9][5].

Description

The DM said a recap normally earns inspiration, but this one “didn’t miss a thing” [10]. He asked for a d100 roll, got a 90 on the wrong table, and then named the ring [11][12][8]. Cholmondeley took it: “I don’t know when I’m going to be swimming, but I will take that. Better be prepared than not.” [9]. Hugo’s account is that a random magic item for a recap “just so happened” to be a ring of swimming [5].

Mechanics (as played)

  • Swim speed. Hugo used it as a swim speed of 30 feet [5]. The published ring gives 40.
  • No need to breathe. Hugo does not need to breathe, which he counted as a second reason he could swim on [5].
  • Carrying. He swam with Steven, a halfling who could not swim, on his back [13][5][7].
  • Attunement. None is mentioned.

Open questions

  • Who holds it. Session 2 has Cholmondeley accept it [9], and he died in session 3. Hugo claims it from session 6 on [14][5]. A question for the DM.
  • Whether Hugo’s swim speed in session 5 came from the ring. He did not name it there [3].

History in the campaign

Session 2: The Bark, the Dryad, and the Riddle that Wasn’t a Tree

Main article: Session 2

The session opened with a recap of session 1, which the DM called perfect “apart from the names” [15][10]. Instead of the usual inspiration he asked for a d100 roll for a magic item [11][10]. The first result, a 90, was on the wrong table. Other players’ guesses, a deck of many things and a ring of wishes, were turned down [12][16]. The DM settled on “a Ring of Swimming”, and Cholmondeley accepted it [8][9].

Session 5: Black Hollow Market Tunnels and the Hollow Guardians

Main article: Session 5

In the sludge-pit cavern, as three fungal zombies came for the party, Hugo said “I’ve got swimming speed.” and asked whether he could move through the swamp [17][3]. The DM answered “Yeah, no problem.” and called it knee-high slime [18][19]. Hugo did not name the ring, and nothing in the session ties his swim speed to it.

Session 6: Maze of the Minotaur and the Titan

Main article: Session 6

In the Warrens storeroom, after Harvo had identified the gloom-touched buckler for Hugo to carry, Terry remarked that “Hugo’s collecting all the magic items”, and Hugo said he had got the ring of swimming [20][4]. It is the first time the ring is tied to him by name. The remark came as Caelumn was grumbling that he had not been given inspiration for his own recap [21].

Session 18: The Wyrm Falls, the Catfish Escapes, and Mike Dies on the Road

Main article: Session 18

When the catfish sank the skiff, the party were swimming in open ocean [22][23]. Hugo switched off his Winged Boots to save their time and swam on the ring’s 30-foot speed with Steven on his back [5][7]. He said the DM had given him a random magic item for a recap long ago: “It was like session two.” [5][6]. After hours in the water the party reached land [24].

Status

As of session 23. Hugo carries it by his own account, while session 2 gives it to Cholmondeley. The dispute stands, and no session after the eighteenth mentions the ring.

See also

References

  1. ^ Session 2, line 22-26: The DM rewards the recap with a magic item instead of the usual inspiration.
  2. ^ Session 2, line 38-50: The d100 roll, the wrong table, and the Ring of Swimming; Cholmondeley accepts it.
  3. ^ Session 5, line 1687: Hugo in the sludge-pit cavern, "I've got swimming speed.".
  4. ^ Session 6, line 1004-1006: Hugo says he got the ring of swimming, as Terry remarks that he is collecting all the magic items.
  5. ^ Session 18, line 1078: Hugo swims with it and calls it his recap prize.
  6. ^ Session 18, line 1080: "It was like session two.".
  7. ^ Session 18, line 1096: Steven rides on Hugo's back in the swim to shore.
  8. ^ Session 2, line 48: Inline citation.
  9. ^ Session 2, line 50: Inline citation.
  10. ^ Session 2, line 26: Inline citation.
  11. ^ Session 2, line 22: Inline citation.
  12. ^ Session 2, line 38: Inline citation.
  13. ^ Session 18, line 1062: Inline citation.
  14. ^ Session 6, line 1006: Inline citation.
  15. ^ Session 2, line 20: Inline citation.
  16. ^ Session 2, line 40-48: Inline citation.
  17. ^ Session 5, line 1607: Inline citation.
  18. ^ Session 5, line 1688: Inline citation.
  19. ^ Session 5, line 1690: Inline citation.
  20. ^ Session 6, line 990: Inline citation.
  21. ^ Session 6, line 999: Inline citation.
  22. ^ Session 18, line 1022: Inline citation.
  23. ^ Session 18, line 1023: Inline citation.
  24. ^ Session 18, line 1155-1164: Inline citation.
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